The show is over in the case of a Belmont ballet school artistic director prosecutors originally said refused to rent rehearsal space to a woman with multiple sclerosis because he didn’t want her assistance dog on the premises.

The District Attorney’s Office dismissed the single misdemeanor charge against Zoltan Antal Peter, 64, citing insufficient evidence and ending a case that, when alleged last year, even struck the prosecution as unusual. At the time, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe conceded he wasn’t even aware of the law prior to Peter’s alleged violation

Defense attorney Eric Hove did not return a call for comment on his client’s victory.

On Nov. 2, according to the prosecution, Peter canceled a rental at the Professional Ballet School on Harbor Boulevard because he said the dog had fleas. The woman reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office which passed it to the District Attorney’s Office for further investigation.

Under the law, the animal can only be excluded “if it poses a direct threat or fundamental alteration of the services offered by the public accommodation,” such as a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Peter has maintained his not guilty plea since being arraigned in January for refusing access to a disabled person with a legally registered dog. On the day of trial, prosecutors first sought a continuance but, once the request was denied, followed with a motion to dismiss the case outright.

Peter has been free from custody on his own recognizance.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.